Ice and snow cleats for automobile and truck tires

ABSTRACT

A method for providing additional tractionability to a vehicle tire ( 20 ) for mitigating slippery road conditions such as ice and snow. The main embodiment for the main embodiment uses three cleats ( 26 ) per tire ( 20 ) and a cleat hub ( 28 ). Chain welts ( 32 ) and adjustable bungee cords ( 30 ) complete the install to form a contiguous unit gripping around the perimeter of the tire ( 20 ). All of the individual parts are lightweight for easy distribution to the tires ( 20 ) needing traction. They are easy to install. They are quick to install at roughly five minutes per tire ( 20 ). They are also both easy and quick to dismantle. Being solid bodied members, they are easy to keep clean by quickly hosing them down and they stack up for easy storage.

CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims any benefits deemed allowable by USPTO ofprovisional patent applications:

62/498,824, filed Jan. 6, 2017 and,62/601,743, filed Mar. 30, 2017 and,62/604,705, filed Jul. 17, 2017. All filed by present inventor.

BACKGROUND Prior Art

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appearsrelevant:

U.S. Patents

-   1904 by Harry D. Weed in Canastota, N.Y.-   U.S. Pat. No. 768,495 “Grip-Tread for Pneumatic Tires” on Aug. 23,    1904

Nonpatent Literature Documents

-   Wikipedia on line at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow chains-   You Tube on line at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUcEXOyQolc

Having driven eighteen wheeler trucks across all of the USA and Canadafor twenty two years, since 1995, and all through this time, I keptasking myself why there wasn't a simpler way of dealing with icy andsnowy roads and parking lots.

The current common practice of using tire chains is a daunting task:

1—They are heavy! A set of single tire chains weighs 25 pounds. Doubletire chains are 50 pounds.2—Unless brand new, they are usually very dirty with road grime.3—Since they are made of steel, they get very dirty with rust.4—The hooks within the chain sets tend to get very entangled in thechains and arc almost impossible to straighten out.5—They are required at the worst possible time! The weather is badenough that you are required to pull over on the side of the road, getout into that really bad weather and put chains on your tires!

Proposed Solution—1/3

My Ice and Snow Cleats address each and every issue cited above:

1—“They are heavy!. A set of single tire chains weighs 25 pounds. Doubletire chains are 50 pounds.”

Each part of the Ice and Snow Cleats method is lightweight and thedriver can choose how many parts they would carry at a time. Dependingon which materials are used, it may be possible to have no singleindividual part that weighs more than 5 pounds!

2—“Unless brand new, they are usually very dirty with road grime.”.

The cleats and hub are solid pieces and thus are easily washable andstack up for easy storage. The chain welts and adjustable bungee cordsstore in a bucket.

Proposed Solution—2/3

3—“Since they are made of steel, they get very dirty with rust.”

While the chain welts are made of steel as well, they actually store ina bucket and so are less susceptible to rusting. Even so, they representa small percentile of the entire Ice and Snow Cleat method. The otherparts such as the cleats themselves can be made of hard rubber,fiberglass, aluminum, and any combination of these or materials of likekind.

4—“The hooks within the chain sets tend to get very entangled in thechains and are almost impossible to straighten out.”

Such is the nature of chains which we are blissfully not having to dealwith except for the small and easy to manage chain welts.

Proposed Solution—3/3

5—“They are required at the worst possible time! The weather is badenough that you are required to pull over on the side of the road, getout into that really bad weather and put chains on your tires!”

While it's true that we still have to contend with the bad weather anddangerous road conditions, at least using the ‘Ice and Snow Cleats’ issimpler and quicker. Whenever you pull over, you start by distributingthe needed parts to each tire requiring cleating, then proceed to eachtire with your stool to sit on, and begin building the assembly rightthere at the tire. A process which takes about five minutes per tire.

Advantages

Accordingly, the advantages are:

1—The individual parts are all lightweight, and so the driver can decidehow much weight they may want to bear while distributing the parts tothe tires for installation.

2—They are full bodied parts that are stackable for elegant storage.

3—Being full bodied, they are easy to clean up as well by merely hosingthem down.

4—They are free of hooks and so they don't get entangled like the priorart chains do.

5—They assemble in just five minutes per tire. They dismantle evenfaster.!

6—They are versatile for different applications. For example, a drivercan acquire an array of cleats specially designed for unique situations,such as, deep mud cleats, rock salt enclustered cleats. Another example,regarding a second embodiment, whereby we entertain the ability to veryquickly use just one cleat.

7—The cleats provide an avenue for trying out new materials either aloneor in combination, as they come out.

These and other benefits of one or more aspects will become apparentfrom a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanyingdrawings.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES 1/2

FIGS. 1a to 1c show the main embodiment using three cleats. 1 a showinga truck's drive and trailer tire. 1 b showing a truck's steer tire. 1 cshowing an ortho drawing of 1 a and can be used to illustrate usage foran automobile tire. It's simply remains a question of scale.

FIGS. 2a and 2b show a four cleat application of the main embodiment forboth truck drive and trailer tire and steer tire respectively.

FIG. 3a shows the cleat hub.

FIG. 4a shows a cleat.

FIG. 4b shows the stackability function of the cleats.

FIG. 4c shows an inner tire cleat.

FIG. 4d shows a set of cleats, the inner and the standard cleat, asapplied to a set of dual tires.

FIG. 4e shows the stackability feature of the inner cleats.

FIG. 4f shows a super single cleat.

FIG. 4g shows a special design cleat for a deep mud application.

FIGS. 5a through 5d show various parts of the adjustable bungee cord.

FIG. 6a shows a welt of chain.

FIG. 6b shows an S-hook.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES CONTINUED 2/2

FIG. 7a shows a four cleat assembly for a set of dual tires.

FIGS. 8a and 8b show the bridging parts that connect the standard cleatwith the inner cleat.

FIGS. 9a through 9h show the step by step methodology for installingthree cleats.

FIGS. 10d through 10i show the step by step methodology for installingfour cleats.

FIGS. 11a through 11m show the step by step methodology for installingfour cleats on a set of dual tires.

FIGS. 12a through 12c show the individual parts additional for a secondembodiment.

FIGS. 12d through 12f show the step by step methodology for installingthe second embodiment.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS—1/3

-   20 tire-   21 inner tire of a dual set-   22 tire rim for drive and trailer-   23 tire rim for steer-   24 rim nuts and bolts-   26 cleat-   28 cleat hub-   30 adjustable bungee cord assembly-   32 chain welt-   33 S-hook-   34 hub sleeve housing-   36 female sleeve opening-   38 hub orifice-   40 hub fastening bars-   42 tractionable material contacting the road surface-   43 tractionablc material contacting the tire tread

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS—CONTINUED—2/3

-   44 cleat front overhang-   46 cleat rear overhang-   48 cleat sleeve insert-   50 cleat orifice-   52 cleat fastening bars-   54 cleat bridge connecting openings-   56 adjustable bungee cord-   58 adjustable bungee cord hook-   60 adjustable bungee cord ball-   62 adjustable bungee cord ball orifice-   64 adjustable bungee cord ball vice screw-   66 cleat inner tire extension-   67 overhang sleeve for rear overhang of standard cleat 26-   68 cleat inner tire extension bridge-   69 overhang sleeve for front overhang of inner extension cleat 66-   70 cleat inner tire extension bridge male bolts-   71 cotter pin installation opening

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS—CONTINUED—3/3

-   72 cleat inner tire extension bridge female bolts-   74 cleat inner tire extension bridge bolt openings-   76 cleat inner tire extension bridge cotter pins-   78 cleat inner tire extension bridge cotter pin alignment openings-   80 cleat designed for super single truck tires-   82 super single truck tire-   83 tire rim for super single tire-   84 cleat designed for deep mud application-   86 deep mud tractionable material-   88 single cleat hub-   90 hub connection bolt-   92 bolt washer-   94 connector arm-   96 wing nut

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

1 First Embodiment with Three Cleats2 First Embodiment with Four Cleats3 Individual Parts for first Embodiment4 First Embodiment with Four Cleats for a Dual Tire Application

5 Additional Individual Parts for Dual Tire Application 6 SpecialApplications

7 Operation of First Embodiment with Three Cleats8 Operation of First Embodiment with Four Cleats9 Operation of First Embodiment with Four Cleats for Dual TireApplication

10 Second Embodiment Additional Parts 11 Second Embodiment Operation 1FIRST EMBODIMENT WITH THREE CLEATS 1/2

All designs subject to DOT speed limits of 20 to 30 mph.

FIG. 1a

shows the first embodiment using three cleats. The style of the rim isthat which we would find on a tractor trailer drive tires or on trailertires.

Although not shown, please assume that the bottom of the tire 20 isresting on pavement.

22 is the tire rim. The bolts 24 are set deep within the bowl of therim. This is a drive tire and trailer tire design as opposed to a steertire design which has the rim bulging out beyond the tire face plane.

The cleat hub 28 does not attach to the tire 20 or the rim 22, butattaches to the cleats 26 at different degrees around the tire 20. Thecleat 26 has a section designed to slide into an opening inside thesleeve of the cleat hub 28 (to be shown in a close up coming soon).Adjustable bungee cords 30 are used to attach the cleats 26 with thecleat hub 28 and with each other. Chain welts 32 are also attached tothe cleats 26 along the tire 20 tread with adjustable bungee cords 30.

1 FIRST EMBODIMENT WITH THREE CLEATS CONTINUED 2/2

FIG. 1b

shows the exact same three cleat assembly for steer tire 20 with steertire rim 23. The steer tire rim 23 bulges out beyond the plane of thetire's front face. The cleats 26 and hub 28 are designed to allow forboth this 23 design and for the drive tire rim 22 design. Just as inFIG. 1a , we see the tire 20, the cleat hub 28, the cleats 26, theadjustable bungee cords 30 connecting the cleats 26 and the hub 28 andthe chain welts 32 along the tire 20 tread also using adjustable bungeecords 30 to join the cleats 26.

FIG. 1c

is the FIG. 1a perspective drawing in ortho mode. Showing the tire 20resting on the pavement (not shown). Three cleats 26 surround the tire20 at the twelve o'clock, eight o'clock and the four o'clock positions.All cleats 26 are joined with the cleat hub 28 using adjustable bungeecords 30 and are also joined to each other 26 using chain welts 32 alongthe tire 20 tread also using adjustable bungee cords 30 to connect. Thisortho mode also helps to show that by scaling down, this invention willserve automobile tires as well. In fact, all parts of are custom fit forthe particular tires in question.

2 FIRST EMBODIMENT WITH FOUR CLEATS 1/1

FIG. 2a

This drawing shows the use of four cleats 26. Placed equidistant attwelve o'clock, nine o'clock, three o'clock, and at six o'clock. Thecleat hub 28 is designed to accommodate either the three cleat or thefour cleat arrangement. The cleats 26 join with the hub 28 usingadjustable bungee cords 30 and the cleats are joined to each other byusing chain welts 32 along the tire 20 tread also joined by usingadjustable bungee cords 30. This tire rim 22 is for drive and trailertires.

FIG. 2b

shows the same as FIG. 2a but is used on a steer tire rim 23. Thisdrawing also shows the use of four cleats 26. Placed equidistant attwelve o'clock, nine o'clock, three o'clock, and at six o'clock. Thecleats 26 join with the hub 28 using adjustable bungee cords 30 and thecleats are joined to each other by using chain welts 32 along the tire20 tread also joined by using adjustable bungee cords 30.

3 INDIVIDUAL PARTS FOR FIRST EMBODIMENT 1/5

FIG. 3a

The cleat hub 28 closeup. A series of sleeves 34 designed to allowvarious cleat (26 of FIG. 4a ) configurations around the tire (20 ofFIG. 1a ). the sleeves 34 have female sleeve openings 36 all around theouter perimeter of the cleat hub 28 for receiving the cleat sleeveinsert (48 of FIG. 4a ) of the cleats (26 of FIG. 4a ). Also shown hereare the hub orifices 38 and hub fastening bars 40, designed foranchoring with the adjustable bungee cords (30 of FIG. 5a ). The cleathub needs to be lightweight yet sturdy. Several ideal materials would bealuminum, hard rubber, fiberglass, and other materials of like kind.

3 INDIVIDUAL PARTS FOR FIRST EMBODIMENT CONTINUED 2/5

FIG. 4a

The cleat 26 is designed to straddle the tire (20 of FIG. 1a ) tread.With a front cleat overhang 44 and a rear cleat overhang 46 keeping thecleat securely positioned on the tire tread (20 of FIG. 1a ). The cleat26 has a plurality of tractionable material 42 along the outer surfaceof the cleat 26 for mitigating slippery road conditions as well astractionable material (43 of FIG. 11c ) against the surface of the tire(20 of FIG. 1a ) tread. There are a plurality of cleat fastening bars 52and orifices 50 for anchoring adjustable bungee cords (30 of FIG. 5a ).There are cleat bridge connecting openings 54 along the rear cleatoverhang 46 designed for use in a dual tire assembly (see FIG. 7a )which will be discussed later. The cleat sleeve insert 48 is the partthat slides into the female sleeve opening (36 of FIG. 3a ) of the cleathub (36 of FIG. 3a ). Several ideal materials either on their own or incombination would be aluminum, hard rubber, fiberglass, and othermaterials of like kind.

FIG. 4b

shows the stackability feature of the cleat 26

3 INDIVIDUAL PARTS FOR FIRST EMBODIMENT CONTINUED 3/5

FIG. 5a

The adjustable bungee cord assembly 30 comprises of the hook 58,attached at one end of the bungee cord 56, and the ball 60, whichprovides the length adjustability function by sliding along the lengthof the bungee cord 56 and once the desired length is attained, theball's 60 vice screws (64 of FIG. 5b ) are tightened against the bungeecord in order to keep the ball 60 fixed at that needed bungee cord 56length. The bungee cord 56 is a stretchable material that helps thecleats(26 of FIG. 4a ) and chain welts (32 of FIG. 1a ) form acontiguous and taut formation around the tire (20 of FIG. 1a ). The hook58 and ball 60 need to be of a strong sturdy solid material to be ableto resist the pressures bore on them from intended use.

FIGS. 5b and 5c

The ball 60 has an orifice 62 where the bungee cord (56 of FIG. 5a )slides through to allow the adjustability feature. When the right lengthis attained, the vice screws 64 are then tightened against the bungeecord (56 of FIG. 5a ).

3 INDIVIDUAL PARTS FOR FIRST EMBODIMENT CONTINUED 4/5

FIG. 5d

When the adjustable bungee cord 30 is installed on this invention, thestretching feature of the bungee cord 56 causes the ball 60 to pressagainst the hook 58 thus keeping the bungee cord assembly taut yin orderto do the vital work of maintaining a tight grip for the cleats (26 ofFIG. 1a ) against the tire (20 of FIG. 1a ) tread.

FIG. 6a

The chain welt 32 is your common everyday chain of the proper thicknessto do the required job of providing traction along with the cleats (26of FIG. 4a ) against the icey and snowy road surface. The chain welts 32are pre-cut to exact required lengths.

3 INDIVIDUAL PARTS FOR FIRST EMBODIMENT CONTINUED 5/5

The adjustable bungee cord assembly (30 of FIG. 5a ) is representativeof a means for joining the cleats (26 of FIG. 1a ), cleat hub (28 ofFIG. 1a ), and chain welts (32 of FIG. 1a ) together securely withelasticity and which connect with speed and ease. Any number of meansexist already in the marketplace which help to satisfy these qualitiesheretofore mentioned, such as the S-hook of FIG. 6 b.

FIG. 6b

The S-hook 33 is a very handy part which a driver may choose to use fora quick and easy method of joining the adjustable bungee cords 30 to thechain welts (32 of FIG. 1a ), the cleats (26 of FIG. 1a ), and the cleathub (28 of FIG. 1a ). It is an intermediary part which works wellwherever the installation is taut enough to prevent the S-hook 33 fromdisconnecting. One way of enhancing security with this is to apply ducttape along both sides of the S-hook 33 to prevent any disconnectingpossibilities.

4 FIRST EMBODIMENT WITH FOUR CLEATS FOR A DUAL TIRE APPLICATION 1/1

FIG. 7a

Sometimes, when the weather is bad enough, and also depending on whichstate of the union the truck may be traveling in, it may be required forboth the inner and outer tires of a dual assembly to be chained. Thisfigure shows a dual tire assembly. It is brought about in the exact samefashion as a single tire application except that there is an abridgingof the inner tire cleat 66 to the standard out cleat 26 by using abridge (68 of FIG. 8a ). This figure illustrates the four cleat version.Cleats 26 at twelve o'clock, nine o'clock, six o'clock, and threeo'clock. We are seeing rim 22 as what would be found in a dual setassembly. We have the cleat hub 28, where the four cleats 26 are joinedusing adjustable bungee cords 30. We have the outer truck tire 20 andthe inner tire 21 both of which get cleats 26 and 66 and chain welts 32,all connected together with taut adjustable bungee straps 30.

5 ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUAL PARTS FOR DUAL TIRE APPLICATION 1/2

FIG. 4c

The cleat inner tire extension 66 does the exact same work as thestandard cleat (26 of FIG. 4d ), with both a front overhang 44 and arear overhang 46 to keep the cleat 66 securely positioned on the innertire (21 of FIG. 7a ). The cleat 66 has the same tractionable material42 as cleat 26. The cleat 66 has the same orifices 50 and fastening bars52 as cleat 26. The front overhang of cleat 66 has cleat bridgeconnecting openings 54 that allow the bridge (68 of FIG. 8a ) to firmlyconnect the cleat inner tire extension 66 with the standard cleat 26.

FIG. 4d

This figures shows cleat 26 and cleat 66 joined together and ready toplace on the dual tire assembly of FIG. 7a . We see a part of the bridge68 situated between the two cleats 26 and 66, where the front overhang44 is connected to the rear overhang of cleat 26 (46 of FIG. 4a ). Thecleat sleeve insert 48 of cleat 26 is now being used to hold both cleats26 and 66 in the cleat hub (28 of FIG. 7a ). A plurality of orifices 50and fastening bars 52 are on both cleats 26 and 66.

5 ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUAL PARTS FOR DUAL TIRE APPLICATION CONTINUED 2/2

FIG. 4e

illustrates the stackability feature of the cleat inner tire extension66. Also, note the tractionable material 43 shown here on the undersideof cleat 66 used for gripping against the tire tread (20 of FIG. 1a )

FIG. 8a

bridge 68 is designed to sturdily hold the two cleats 26 and 66 of FIG.7a together. With the rear overhang of cleat 26 being sandwiched withinsleeve opening 67 and the front overhang of cleat 66 being sandwichedwithin sleeve opening 69. Female bolt 72 slides though opening 74 andmerges with male bolt 70 till the cotter pin alignment openings 78 allowfor the cotter pins 76 to be inserted within the installation opening71.

FIG. 8b

close up shows the top view of the bridge 68 within opening 71 withcotter pins 76 inserted through the female bolt 72 and the aligned malebolt (70 of FIG. 8a ) between cleats 26 and 66 (cut off views).

6 SPECIAL APPLICATIONS 1/1

FIG. 4f

shows a super single truck tire 82 and a super single rim 83. In thetrucking industry, super singles were designed to replace dual tireassemblies as seen in FIG. 7a . Super single cleat 80 works in exactlythe same way as the standard cleat 26 and installs in the exact samemanner.

FIG. 4g

shows a special designed for deep mud application cleat 84 featuringdeep mud tractionable material 86. It may simply a more pronouncedversion of the same material of cleat (26 of FIG. 1a ) or it may be madewith special qualities for dealing with mud.

This cleat 84 also has a front overhang 44 and a rear overhang 46serving to properly position cleat 84 on the tire tread (20 of FIG. 7a )and uses the same sleeve insert 48 as the standard cleat (26 of FIG. 7a). A plurality of cleat fastening bars 52 and orifices 50 allow thiscleat 84 to connect to the cleat hub (28 of FIG. 7a ) using theadjustable bungee cords (30 of FIG. 7a ).

7 OPERATION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT WITH THREE CLEATS 1/2

FIG. 9a starts us off with a drawing of tire 20 and rim 22 for drive andtrailer tires and shows the nuts and bolts 24 inset within the rim bowl.Please assume that the tire is set on pavement (not shown). Also, all ofthe individual parts have been distributed to the tires you want tocleat up and you are ready to start.

Step one, FIG. 9b , lay a cleat 26 on top of tire 20 at the twelveo'clock position.

Step two, FIG. 9c , join cleat hub 28 with cleat 26 using an adjustablebungee cord 30.

Step three, FIG. 9d , add cleat 26 on the eight o'clock position of thetire 20 and join it to cleat hub 28 with adjustable bungee cord 30.

Step four, FIG. 9e , add cleat 26 on the four o'clock position of tire20 and join it to cleat hub 28 with adjustable bungee cord 30. By nowthe three cleats 26 are pressed taut against the tire 20.

7 OPERATION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT WITH THREE CLEATS CONTINUED 2/2

Step five, FIG. 9f , add the chain welts 32 along the tire 20 treadusing adjustable bungee cords to connect the three cleats 26 to eachother using the cleat fastening bars (52 of FIG. 4a ). At this point,you can install chain welts at the areas between twelve o'clock andeight o'clock and between twelve o'clock and four o'clock.

Step six, FIG. 9g , after you have gone to step five for all of thetires that you want to cleat up, move the truck forward just two feet toexpose the tire 20 tread area between eight o'clock and four o'clock tofinish installing the remaining chain welts 32 using the adjustablebungee cords 30. It is now complete as seen on in FIG. 9 h.

8 OPERATION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT WITH FOUR CLEATS 1/2

FIG. 10d begins at step three, after a repeat of FIGS. 9a, 9b, 9c ,which starts us off with a drawing of tire 20 and rim 22 for drive andtrailer tires and shows the nuts and bolts 24 inset within the rim bowl.Please assume that the tire is set on pavement (not shown). Also, all ofthe individual parts have been distributed to the tires you want tocleat up and you are ready to start.

Step one, FIG. 9b , lay a cleat 26 on top of tire 20 at the twelveo'clock position.

Step two, FIG. 9c , join cleat hub 28 with cleat 26 using an adjustablebungee cord 30.

Step three, FIG. 10d , add cleat 26 on the nine o'clock position of thetire 20 and join it to cleat hub 28 with adjustable bungee cord 30.

Step four, FIG. 10e , add cleat 26 on the three o'clock position of tire20 and join it to cleat hub 28 with adjustable bungee cord 30. By nowthe three cleats 26 are pressed taut against the tire 20.

8 OPERATION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT WITH FOUR CLEATS CONTINUED 2/2

Step five, FIG. 10f , add the chain welts 32 along the tire 20 treadusing adjustable bungee cords to connect the three cleats 26 to eachother using the cleat fastening bars (52 of FIG. 4a ). At this point,you can install chain welts at the areas between twelve o'clock and nineo'clock and between twelve o'clock and three o'clock.

Step six, FIG. 10g , after you have gone to step five for all of thetires that you want to cleat up, move the truck forward just two feet toexpose the tire 20 tread area between nine o'clock and three o'clock.

Step seven, FIG. 10h , finish installing the last cleat 26 at what wasthe six o'clock position of the tire 20 tread before you moved the truckand the remaining chain welts 32 using the adjustable bungee cords 30.It is now complete as seen on in FIG. 10 i.

9 OPERATION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT WITH FOUR CLEATS FOR DUAL TIREAPPLICATION 1/4

First, distribute all of the individual parts to the tires you want tocleat up and you are ready to start.

FIG. 11a begins with a bridge 68 showing the openings 74 for the bolts(70 and 72 of FIG. 8a ).

Step one, FIG. 11b , position the standard cleat 26 sliding it's rearoverhang 46 into the overhang sleeve 67 of the bridge 68.

Step two, FIG. 11c , position the inner tire extension cleat 66 slidingit's front overhang 44 into the overhang sleeve 69 of the bridge 68.With rear overhang 46 of cleat 26 within overhang sleeve 67, cleats 26and 66 properly positioned, you are now ready to insert the bolts (70and 72 of FIG. 8a ) and cotter pins (76 of FIG. 8a ) within the cotterpin installation opening 71. Also, this figure shows the underside ofthe cleat exposing the tractionable material 43 that would go againstthe tire (20 of FIG. 7a ) tread.

9 OPERATION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT WITH FOUR CLEATS FOR DUAL TIREAPPLICATION CONTINUED 2/4

Step three, FIG. 11d , insert female bolts 72 through cleat/bridgeconnecting bolt openings (54 of FIGS. 4c and 74 of FIG. 8a ).

Step four, FIG. 11e , insert male bolts 70, through cleat/bridgeconnecting bolt openings (54 of FIGS. 4c and 74 of FIG. 8a ) of theopposite side, into the female bolts 72 aligning the cotter pinalignment openings 78. We now see standard cleat 26 (cut-off view)joined with inner extension cleat 66 (cut-off view) at the bridge 68.

Step five, FIG. 11f , insert cotter pins 76 through the merged bolts 70and 72 inside the cotter pin installation opening 71 of the bridge 68.We again see standard cleat 26 (cut-off view) joined with innerextension cleat 66 (cut-off view) at the bridge 68.

9 OPERATION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT WITH FOUR CLEATS FOR DUAL TIREAPPLICATION CONTINUED 3/4

At this stage, we will have joined as many cleat pairs as needed tocomplete the operation ahead.

Step six, FIG. 11g , we see a set of dual tires outer 20 and inner 21,on drive tire or trailer tire rim 22, and once again assumed to beresting on a pavement (not shown). Place the newly joined pair of cleats26 and 66 at the twelve o'clock position.

Step seven, FIG. 11h , join the cleat hub 28 to the cleat pair (26 and66 of FIG. 11g ) using an adjustable bungee cord 30.

Step eight, FIG. 11i , add another newly joined cleat pair 26 and 66 tothe cleat hub (28 of FIG. 11h ) arid dual tire set (20 and 21 of FIG.11g ) at the three o'clock position using an adjustable bungee cord (30of FIG. 11h ).

Step nine FIG. 11j , add another newly joined cleat pair 26 and 66 tothe cleat hub (28 of FIG. 11h ) and dual tire set (20 and 21 of FIG. 11g) at the nine o'clock position using an adjustable bungee cord (30 ofFIG. 11h ).

9 OPERATION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT WITH FOUR CLEATS FOR DUAL TIREAPPLICATION CONTINUED 4/4

Step ten, FIG. 11k , join all the cleat pairs (26 and 66 of FIG. 11h )together using chain welts 32 and adjustable bungee cords 30 along thedual tire (20 and 21 of FIG. 11g ) treads between the cleats (26 and 66of FIG. 11h ) at twelve o'clock and nine o'clock and between the cleats(26 and 66 of FIG. 11h ) at twelve o'clock and three o'clock.

Step eleven, FIG. 11l , once all the cleat pairs (26 and 66 of FIG. 11h) at twelve o'clock, nine o'clock, and three o'clock on all the dualtire sets (20 and 21 of FIG. 11g ) are installed and chained up, movethe truck forward two feet to gain access to the six o'clock positionthat was resting on the pavement.

Step twelve, final step, FIG. 11m , join cleat pair (26 and 66 of FIG.11h ) to cleat hub (28 of FIG. 11h ) (formerly) at the six o'clockposition (before the truck was moved forward) using adjustable bungeecord (30 of FIG. 11h ). Join the cleat pairs (26 and 66 of FIG. 11h )together with chain welts (32 of FIG. 11k ) and adjustable bungee cords(30 of FIG. 11k ) along the dual tire (20 and 21 of FIG. 11g ) treadsbetween the cleats (26 and 66 of FIG. 11h ) at nine o'clock and sixo'clock and between the cleats (26 and 66 of FIG. 11h ) at three o'clockand six o'clock. It is now complete as seen on FIG. 11 m.

10 SECOND EMBODIMMENT ADDITIONAL PARTS 1/2

This second embodiment is designed to be a quick fix method for movingout of a short term slippery situation such as can be found in a iceyparking lot or icey steep grade at a stop light. A driver may choose toleave the hub (88 of FIG. 12e ) installed semi permanently for thewinter season to where just a cleat (26 of FIG. 12f ) and adjustablebungee cord (30 of FIG. 12f ) be expediciously used when the time comes.

FIG. 12a shows a single sleeved cleat hub 88 that is designed to be usedfor just one cleat (26 of FIG. 12f ). We see the hub orifice 38 and andhub fastening bar 40 for connecting to the cleat (26 of FIG. 12f ) usingan adjustable bungee cord (30 of FIG. 12f ). We see the female sleeveopening 36 where the cleat's (26 of FIG. 12f ) sleeve insert (48 of FIG.4a ) will enter. We see the bolt 90 attached to the top surface of thesingle sleeved hub 88, where the connecting arms and washers (94 and 92of FIG. 12b ) will join the hub 88 to the tire rim (22 of FIG. 1a or 23of FIG. 1b ).

10 SECOND EMBODIMENT ADDITIONAL PARTS CONTINUED 2/2

FIG. 12b shows the connecting arms 94 and washers 92 which will serve tojoin the hub 88 of FIG. 12a to the bolts (24 of FIG. 1a ) of rim (22 ofFIG. 1a or 23 of FIG. 1b ). Three such sets of connector arms 94 andwashers 92 provide a bracing effect for a sturdy installation. Thewashers 92 are actually welded or mechanically well fastened to theconnecting arms 94. Theses washers straddle the bolts (24 of FIG. 1a )at one end and the bolt (90 of FIG. 12a ) on the surface of the cleathub (88 of FIG. 12a ) at the other end.

FIG. 12c shows the hand tightening wing nut 96 that can be used totighten the connectors arms and washers against the bolts.

11 SECOND EMBODIMENT OPERATION 1/1

We see in FIG. 12d , beginning with a steer tire 20 and a steer tire rim23 and showing nuts and bolts 24 where the connectors, washers, and wingnuts (92, 94, and 96 of FIG. 12e ) will connect. Please assume that thetire is on pavement (not shown).

Step one, FIG. 12e , we employ a set of three connector arms 94 toproperly brace the single cleat sleeve 88. The washers 92 that arepermanently affixed at either end of the connector arms 94 are made tostraddle the bolts 24 on the rim 23 on the one end and the bolt 90 onthe surface of the single cleat sleeve 88 at the other end. This makes asturdy and well braced cleat installation. This set up may remainsemi-permanently on the rim if the driver so chooses for the winterseason.

Step two, FIG. 12f , shows the final step of inserting the cleat 26 intothe single sleeve of the hub (88 of FIG. 12e ), and being joined usingan adjustable bungee cord 30 where it connects to the hub fastening bar40 within the hub orifice 38 on the cleat (88 of FIG. 12e ).

ADVANTAGES 1/3

From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodimentsof my ‘Ice and Snow Cleats’ become evident:

(a) The driver chooses how much weight they will carry as theydistribute the various parts to each tire that they choose to cleat.(b) The various parts, being solid material are thus easy to keep clean.The chain welts and adjustable bungee cords are stored in buckets.(c) Depending on which materials are used for their manufacture, theonly possible rust issues would be the chain welts and yet othersuitable materials may be used for this chain as well, thereby resolvingeven this!

ADVANTAGES CONTINUED 2/3

(d) The various parts are separate. Solid bodied pieces are madestackable. So much easier to manage than the prior art of tire chainswhich inevitably get entangled as it is the nature of those chains, whatwith hooks being incorporated into the design, to entangle.(e) The dangers of being in bad weather and being forced to pull over tothe side of the road in order to comply with the authority demand toenhance tractionability are minimized by the ease of handling and speedof installation and dismantling.

ADVANTAGES CONTINUED 3/3

(f) The ‘Ice and Snow Cleats’ offer versatility for dealing with othersituations; such as, a quick fix for:1—dealing with icey parking lots,2—dealing with deep mud,3—dealing with slippery grades at a stop light.(g) There presently exists a wide array of materials with idealproperties for the ‘Ice and Snow Cleats’ both individually and inadvantageous combinations; such as:1—Hard rubber with steel or fiberglass belting added for strength,

2—Kevlon,

3—Acetyl Butyl Styrene plastics,(h) And more improvements to come as new and better materials becomeavailable. A new ecosystem for innovation is born because of the cleats!

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 1/2

Accordingly, the reader will see that the ‘Ice and Snow Cleats’, in it'svarious embodiments, provide a quicker and easier way to addDOT-required tractionabilty to tires as follows:

1—Quicker because there is no having to deal with the entangled chainsof the prior art. Building the required tractionabilty at each chosentire should take no more than five minutes, even for a noviceindividual. It is equally quick to dismantle and store away.2—Easier because the individual parts can be carried independentlyaccording to how much weight the driver wishes to bear whiledistributing the parts to the chosen tires. In fact, some materials mayallow that no single part weighs more than five pounds.3—Cleaner because the major parts are easily amenable to being hoseddown due to solid surface properties of both the cleats and the hub.4—Versatile because of special design features to address quick fixneeds like icey parking lots, slippery grades at stop lights, and deepmud situations.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 2/2

5—Thanks to the cleats, from now on, it will be very easy to experimentwith various combinations of materials. As new materials come to market,cleats will be a ready testing ground for them.

Although the description above cover many specificities, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merelyproviding illustrations of some of several embodiments. For example, theadjustable bungee cords may be made of rubber, and may include s-hooksfor even quicker installation if the driver so chooses. The chain weltsmay be replaced by thick cable. The cleat hub may use cylindricalsleeves and may offer more degrees of insertion for the cleats. Thecleats may function on their own without a need for chain welts at all.These are issues determined by DOT authorities when they have concludedtheir testing.

Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

I claim:
 1. An article of manufacture comprising: a. a plurality ofcleats, wherein embodying properties of tractionability both on theunderside of said cleats to hold against a tire tread and on theouterside of said cleats to mitigate the slippery road surface, b. acleat hub, wherein embodying properties of rigidity in order to maintainsaid cleats at prescribed degrees of locality around the perimeter ofsaid tire tread and at the same time, slidably allowing said cleats topress taut against said tire tread, c. a means for joining all of theseheretofore mentioned items thereby forming a contiguous unit that issecure and wrapping tightly around the perimeter of said tire tread,whereby quickly and easily providing a secure grip of said tire by saidcontiguous unit in order to satisfy Department of Transportation safetyrequirements; as well as, providing versatile mitigation possibilitiesfor other types of vehicle tires and slippery situations.
 2. An articleof manufacture as defined in claim 1, wherein said cleat straddlesacross the entire breadth of said tire tread along a predeterminedsection of the perimeter of said tire.
 3. An article of manufacture asdefined in claim 2, wherein said cleat would have front and rearoverhangs at said tire tread thereby maintaining said cleat properlystraddled on said tire tread.
 4. An article of manufacture as defined inclaim 2, wherein said cleat is composed of materials selected from agroup comprising of fiberglass, plastics, hard rubber, aluminum, andKevlar, thereby providing adequate rigidity and strength to the body ofsaid cleat.
 5. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 2, whereinthe underside of said cleat's properties of tractionability are selectedfrom a group comprising of foam and soft rubber thereby conforming tothe contours of said tire tread.
 6. An article of manufacture as definedin claim 2, wherein the outerside of said cleat's properties oftractionability are selected from a group comprising of fiberglass,plastics, hard rubber, aluminum, and Kevlar being specially shapedthereby providing the required tractionabilty to mitigate the slipperyroad surface.
 7. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 2,wherein said cleat would have a cleat sleeve insert that slidablyinserts into one of a plurality of hub sleeve housings each containing afemale sleeve opening and situated all around the outer perimeter ofsaid cleat hub.
 8. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1,wherein said cleat hub is composed of materials selected from a groupcomprising of plastics, fiberglass, hard rubber, aluminum, and Kevlar,thereby providing adequate rigidity for keeping said cleats atpredetermined intervals along said tire tread perimeter.
 9. An articleof manufacture as defined in claim 8, wherein said female sleeveopenings of said cleat hub provide a snug fit for said cleat sleeveinserts thereby maintaining a rigid contiguous assembly while alsoallowing said inserts to slidably enable a taut pressure of said cleatsagainst said tire treads when urged by said means for joining saidcleats.
 10. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid means for joining said cleats with said cleat hub are selected froma group consisting of bungee cords, rubber straps, S-hooks, and springsthereby providing sufficient elasticity to the entire assembly andenabling said taut pressure of said cleats against said tire tread. 11.An article of manufacture as defined in claim 10, wherein said means forjoining said cleats with said cleat hub comprise of a plurality of cleatorifices, cleat fastening bars, hub orifices, and hub fastening bars,thereby providing anchoring areas for the joining means heretoforementioned.
 12. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 11, whereinan adjustable bungee cord embodies said means for joining thereofconsisting of a plurality of vice screws within an adjustable cord ballorifice of an adjustable cord ball, thus allowing for tightening againstsaid bungee cord thereby regulating the length of said adjustable bungeecold whenever said cord ball encounters resistance from an adjustablebungee cord hook.
 13. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1,wherein a plurality of chain welts of sufficient length for joining saidcleats along the still-exposed areas of said tire tread and ofsufficient thickness to also mitigate the slippery road surface alongwith said cleats.
 14. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 13,wherein said plurality of adjustable bungee cords join said chain weltsto said cleats all around the perimeter of said tire tread.
 15. Anarticle of manufacture as defined in claim 1, wherein said cleat may bemodified to address the need of providing tractionability to an innertire as well as the outer tire of a dual tire assembly using a cleatinner tire extension that connects to said cleat with a cleat inner tireextension bridge.
 16. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 15,wherein said cleat inner tire extension bridge sandwiches the cleat rearoverhang of said cleat as well as the cleat front overhang of said cleatinner tire extension thereby a plurality of male bolts and a pluralityof female bolts fasten the union with a plurality of cotter pins througha plurality of cleat inner tire extension bridge cotter pin alignmentopenings located on both the male and the female bolts.
 17. An articleof manufacture as defined in claim 15, wherein said cleat rear overhangand said cleat inner tire extension front overhang have a plurality ofcleat inner tire extension bolt openings to allow the bridging of saidcleat with said cleat inner tire extension.
 18. An article ofmanufacture as defined in claim 15, wherein said cleat inner tireextension bridge contains: a. an overhang sleeve for sandwiching saidcleat rear overhang of said cleat, b. an overhang sleeve for sandwichingsaid cleat front overhang of said cleat inner tire extension, c. acotter pin installation opening, d. a plurality of cleat inner tireextension bridge bolt openings.
 19. An article of manufacture as definedin claim 1, wherein said cleats may be modified to accommodate differentsizes of said tires.
 20. An article of manufacture as defined in claim1, wherein said cleats may be modified to address an array of roadconditions beyond ice and snow, such as mud, wet leaves, and oil.
 21. Anarticle of manufacture as defined in claim 1, wherein said cleats may bemodified to incorporate a different array of advantageous new materialsas yet still undiscovered.
 22. An article of manufacture as defined inclaim 1, wherein said cleat hub may be modified to a single cleat hubcontaining just one said hub sleeve housing and just one said femalesleeve opening.
 23. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 22,wherein said single cleat hub connects in a semi-permanent fashion to aplurality of bolts situated on a tire rim using: a. a plurality of hubconnector arms with fastened washers for connecting at said plurality ofbolts on the one end, and at the other end, a hub connection boltsituated on the face of said single cleat hub, b. a plurality of wingnuts, whereby, due to said single cleat hub being always ready forservice, a driver joins said cleat with said adjustable bungee cord atsaid single cleat hub very quickly to address slippery road conditionswhere just such a quick fix solution would elegantly suffice.
 24. Anarticle of manufacture as defined in claim 1, wherein the assembly ofsaid cleats, said cleat hub, said chain welts, and said adjustablebungee cords offers a driver an elegant solution for tractionabiltythereby providing said driver: a. with control of parts distributionaccording to how much weight said driver would care to distribute at anygiven time, b. quick and easy assemblement and dismantlement at saidtire, c. elegant storage solutions with stackablility features for bothsaid cleats and said cleat hubs, d. the solid body structures of bothsaid cleats and said cleat hubs allow for easy cleaning by simply hosingthem down.
 25. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid cleats may be modified to incorporate a well distributed bed ofrock salt crystals along the outerside of said cleat to provideimmediate needs of tractionability as well as a longer termaccommodation of introducing salt brine to the road surface therebymaking the road safer for the next driver.
 26. A method of providingadditional tractionability to a tire, the individual parts comprisingof: a. a plurality of cleats, b. a cleat hub to hold said cleats in apredetermined position at the perimeter of said tire while slidablyallowing a snug fit of said cleat against the tread of said tire, c. aplurality of chain welts that fasten between said cleats along theremaining exposed tread surfaces of said tire, d. a means for fasteningof which one embodiment comprises a plurality of adjustable bungee cordsthat connect said cleats to said cleat hub holding securely and urging asnug fit of said cleat against said tire, e. said plurality ofadjustable bungee cords also connecting said chain welts to said cleatstaut against each other and against the tread of said tire.
 27. Themethod of claim 26, wherein the first step for a three cleatinstallation is to place one of said cleats at the twelve o'clockposition of said tire resting there.
 28. The method of claim 26, whereinthe second step is to introduce said cleat hub, insert the cleat sleeveinsert of said cleat into the female sleeve opening of the hub sleevehousing of said cleat hub.
 29. The method of claim 26, wherein usingsaid adjustable bungee cord to join said cleat hub at a hub fasteningbar located at a hub orifice with said cleat at a cleat fastening bar ata cleat orifice.
 30. The method of claim 26, wherein the third step isto place another one of said cleats at the eight o'clock position ofsaid tire repeating the joining procedure of claim 29 to said cleat hub.31. The method of claim 26, wherein the fourth step is to place anotherone of said cleats at the four o'clock position of said tire repeatingthe joining procedure of claim 29 to said cleat hub.
 32. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the fifth step is to install a plurality of said chainwelts along the remaining exposed area of said tire tread between saidcleat at twelve o'clock said cleats at eight and four o'clockrespectively using said adjustable bungee cords to join said cleats atsaid cleat fastening bars to the first link of said chain welt at oneend and another said adjustable bungee cord joined to the last link atthe other end of said chain welt with adjacent said cleats whilecrisscrossing said chain welts across said tire tread.
 33. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the sixth step is to move the vehicle forward justenough to allow installation of said chain welts on the remainingexposed said tire tread surface between said cleats at the eight o'clockand the four o'clock positions repeating the joining procedure of claim32 to said cleats.
 34. The method of claim 26, wherein providing adriver an advantage as they choose how many parts to distribute at agiven time to the tires that are needing additional tractionability,thereby controlling the amount of weight that said driver must bear atany given time.
 35. The method of claim 26, wherein the assemblage anddismantlement of said cleats are quickly and easily done.
 36. The methodof claim 26, wherein the exact same steps of claims 26 through 33 thatapplied for a three cleat installation would also apply for any numberof cleats above one, within practical limits, with a three cleatinstallation and a four cleat installation being most likely candidates,and that this applies on both said single tire application and said dualtire application.
 37. The method of claim 26, wherein all of said cleatsand cleat hubs are stackable thereby providing elegant storage options.38. The method of claim 26, wherein said cleats and said cleat hubs,being of solid body, provide for fast and easy cleaning by simply hosingthem down.
 39. The method of claim 26, wherein for joining said cleatwith said inner tire extension cleat, re-introduced from claims 15through 18, for a dual-tire application, wherein once joined, saidjoined cleats may then be installed using the exact same steps as thoseof claims 28 through 33 that were for a single tire application.
 40. Themethod of claim 39, wherein the individual parts, some of which arere-introduced from claims 15 through 18, comprising of: a. said cleat ofclaim 1 of that as normally installed on the outer said tire, b. saidcleat inner tire extension, c. said cleat having a plurality of cleatbridge connecting bolt openings located on the rear overhang thereof, d.said cleat inner tire extension having said plurality of cleat bridgeconnecting bolt openings on the front overhang thereof, e. said cleatinner tire extension bridge consisting of said overhang sleeve for rearoverhang of said cleat, said overhang sleeve for front overhang of saidcleat inner tire extension, said cotter pin installation opening, andsaid cleat inner tire extension bridge bolt openings, g. said cleatinner tire extension bridge male bolts with said cleat inner tireextension bridge cotter pin alignment openings, h. said cleat inner tireextension bridge female bolts with said cleat inner tire extensionbridge cotter pin alignment openings, i. said cleat inner tire extensionbridge cotter pins.
 41. The method of claim 39, wherein the first stepfor joining said cleat with said inner tire extension cleat is toposition them side by side so that said cleat rear overhang and saidcleat inner tire extension front overhang are parallel to one anotherand a few inches apart.
 42. The method of claim 39, wherein the secondstep is to slide said cleat inner tire extension bridge so that saidoverhang sleeve for rear overhang of cleat sandwiches said rear overhangof cleat and said overhang sleeve for front overhang of inner extensioncleat sandwiches said front overhang of cleat inner tire extension sothat said cleat inner tire extension bridge bolt openings are aligned.43. The method of claim 39, wherein the third step is to insert saidcleat inner tire extension bridge female bolts though either side of thesandwiched combination at said bolt openings, and to insert said cleatinner tire extension bridge male bolts through the opposite side of thesandwiched combination so as to slide into the waiting said female boltwatching to align the said cotter pin alignment openings.
 44. The methodof claim 39, wherein the fourth step is to insert said cotter pinsthrough said cotter pin alignment openings within the area of saidcotter pin installation area. The joining of said cleat with said cleatinner tire extension is now complete.
 45. The method of claim 39,wherein the final step is to straddle the newly joined combination ofsaid cleats atop of said dual tire set and continue in the like manneras claimed in claims 26 through
 33. 46. A second embodiment, a methodfor, providing additional tractionability to a tire with just one cleat,the individual parts, some of which are re-introduced from claims 22 and23, comprising of: a. one said cleat b. said single cleat hub to holdsaid cleat in a predetermined position at the perimeter of said tirewhile slidably allowing a snug fit of said cleat against the tread ofsaid tire c. a plurality of said connecting arms with said fastenedwashers d. said wing nuts e. a plurality of adjustable bungee cords thatconnect said cleat to said single cleat hub holding fast and urging asnug fit of said cleat against said tire
 47. The method of claim 46,wherein the only step is to semi-permanently install said single cleathub with said wing nuts to said bolts of said tire rim using saidconnecting arms and said fastened washers at the one end, and at theother end, on said hub connection bolt on the face of said single cleathub.
 48. The method of claim 46, wherein with said single cleat hubinstalled, a driver only needs to insert one said cleat and a pluralityof said adjustable bungee cords for an elegant quick fix solutionwhenever called for.